Progress in Doha Negotiations; Iran and US Agree on New Communication Channel

Start of Technical Talks in the Qatari Capital According to reports published on July 2, 2026, a new round of indirect negotiations between the diplomatic delegations of Iran and the United States has begun in Doha, the capital of Qatar [1]. These talks, held with the active mediation of Qatar and Pakistan, focus on implementing the provisions of the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" signed in June. While special US representatives including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are present in Doha, Iranian officials have emphasized that no direct meetings have taken place and the exchange of messages is conducted solely through mediators [3].

Main Axes: From the Strait of Hormuz to Frozen Assets One of the most significant achievements of this round of talks is the agreement to establish a new communication channel to monitor the implementation of the memorandum and record violations [2]. Informed sources reported that the release of $6 billion of Iran's frozen assets in Qatari banks and the manner of the Central Bank of Iran's access to these resources were key focuses of the technical discussions. Additionally, the parties agreed on a one-week de-escalation plan in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the security of maritime traffic in this strategic waterway [4].

Reactions; From Washington's Optimism to Tehran's Conditions US President Donald Trump, in recent remarks, described the progress made in Doha as "very good" and claimed that Iran's nuclear disarmament process is proceeding well [2]. However, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiating team, noted that Tehran will not enter final negotiations until key clauses of the memorandum, including the lifting of the naval blockade and the full release of assets, are realized [4]. This contrast in narratives reflects the high sensitivity of the negotiations at the current stage.

Continuation of Diplomacy After the Funeral A spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that despite positive progress, the continuation of negotiations has been postponed due to the funeral ceremonies of the late Iranian leader [1]. The next round of talks is expected to resume immediately after the conclusion of the official ceremonies in Tehran. Analysts believe that the decline in global oil prices in recent days is a direct result of the positive signals transmitted from the Doha negotiation table to global markets [2]. The success of these talks could be a turning point in ending the military conflicts that have engulfed the region since February 2026.